Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: Evolution Studios
Genre: Racing
Release Date: March 07
Players: 1-16 (Online details not confirmed)
Gallery: Check out the gallery, here.

You shift into a higher gear as you go faster and faster and dirt is flying into your face. You barely escape a collision as you prepare for a jump over a canyon, as you ascend up you finally go airborne. Unfortunately, you are no longer riding your motorbike, you are flying through the air. Offroad racing at its best. This is just one of the many racing scenarios that you can find yourself in as you play MotorStorm.

With up to seven vehicle types to choose from, MotorStorm is an offroad racer set in different areas of Utah that allows up to 20 racers to compete against each other in open and scenic offroad environments. As the scenario above describes, this is a very aggressive and physical game. Pushing cyclists off their bikes, ramming other cars, and causing explosions are all completely legal and even encouraged in this game.

Vehicle types that are available to choose from include motorbikes, quads, saloon cars, trucks, big rigs, and buggies. Each type of vehicle has its own pros and cons which can be taken advantage of by using the open course to the fullest possibility. Motorbikes can squeeze through small openings to reveal hidden shortcuts only available to them, while trucks can make their own path by destroying blockades and natural obstacles in their way. Because of these features, the courses have several optional routes and jumps making each race different than the last one, and each course being very large in content. This means racers won't be channeled down one consistent path each race, but instead will enjoy the full features of all 20 environments.


Physics and detail not only affect the game graphically, but can affect gameplay too. Mud and dirt can be kicked up into a nearby car, blocking the players’ vision, especially if played in first person view. Also, the same dirt accumulates during the race to produce a very dirty car by the end of the track. Vehicles are not the only determining factor of the physics of MotorStorm. Each vehicle type reacts differently to the terrain types in turns and also in acceleration. Heavier cars will have to stick to the main track and avoid sharp detours and jumps. One track, Raingod Mesa, features a compact stone surface which makes for a desirable grip. Also, any damage from obstacles or other racers can have damage to vehicle performance. In single player, these vehicles are unlocked gradually based on progression so you can get a good feel of each type of vehicle.

MotorStorm is shaping up to be an epic racing game. Its sharp graphics, realistic physics, fast paced tracks, and assortment of vehicles will make this a benchmark game for 2007. MotorStorm was intended to be a launch title until it was recently pushed back until March 2007, just in time for the European launch. Supposedly MotorStorm was pushed back in order to develop and fine tune the online play which is not available in the Japanese version that was already released. Personally I don’t mind the wait for some of the best online content that PS3 has to offer in its opening months.

Source IGN